[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

While being centered in the area that the upper strap is used to distribute the force over is one issue, the length of the area that the lower bracket distributes force over is also critical.

There will be a region along the length of the bearing arm where the tourqe created by the two forces (the weight of the load and the piston) converge. Maximum strength will be achieved by reducing the moment arms of these forces (keeping them close together) and increasing the width of the region where the force converges.

what he said!